Condensation trap for tanks

ABSTRACT

Attached by a fitting beneath a drain outlet in the bottom of a fuel storage tank is an elongate cylindrical condensation trap. The trap is also attached by a fitting to a standard fuel outlet pipe. The fittings include shutoff valves, and a drain cock is mounted in the front end of the trap.

United States Patent Paul L. Stickney RED. #1, Bridgton, Maine 04009 764,163

Oct. 1, 1968 Aug. '17, 1971 Inventor Appl No. Filed Patented CONDENSATION TRAP FQR TANKS 1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 137/203, v 137/572, 220/85 Int. Cl B65d 25/00 137/203,

Field of Search References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 371,794 l0/l887- Shelton Primary Examiner-Alan Cohan Atlamey-James H. Littlepage ABSTRACT: Attached by a fitting beneath a drain outlet in the bottom of a fuel storage tank is an elongatecylindrical condensation trap. The trap is also attached by a fitting to a standard fuel outlet pipe. The fittings include shutoff valves, and a drain cock is mounted in the front end of the trap.

PATENTED mm 1 l9?! 5 9, 0

PAUL F. ST ICKNEY ATTORNEY CQNDENSATION TRAP FOR TANKS FIELD OF INVENTION Class 220, Metallic Receptacles, Subclass 85, Attachments.

PRIOR ART OBJECTS The primary object of this invention is to provide a sediment trap which is an attachment applicable to the underside of a standard fuel storage tank for collecting water sludge and heavy sediment, which trap may be isolated from the tank and drained so that the contents of the tank do not have to be drained when the water and sediment are removed, nor does its nonnal fuel delivery have to be interrupted. More specifically, the subject trap is intended for attachment beneath a standard oil-fuel tank, which is usually. an elongate hollow container having a drain hole in its bottom and a fuel outlet pipe leading from one end near the bottom thereof. By so devising the trap so that it may be connected at one end into the tanks drain hole and, at the other end, to a standard T- coupling in the tank's outlet pipe, it may be attached without 1 modification of the tank, other than by addition of the T- fitting. I

These and other objects will be apparent from the followin specification and drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a standard fuel tank with the trap attached; and, v FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the trap and the coupling and valve connecting it with the tank.

Referring now to the drawing, in which like reference numerals denote similar elements, there is shown a standard fuel tank 2 of the type ordinarily used for domestic service, the sidewall ,3 of which is supported by posts 4. conventionally, there is a drain hole 6 intermediate the ends of the tank bottom, this hole usually being closed by a plug, not shown. A fuel outlet 8 in the lower portion of the front end wall 10 is usually connected through a fuel pipe 12 and a filter 14 to a fuel delivery line 16, which generally leads to the oil burne'r of a furnace. A shutofi cock 18 may be provided for the fuel pipe 12. All this, thus far, is conventional.

The invention is concerned with the condensation trap 20, which is an elongate cylindrical container attached beneath tank 2. Leading downwardly into the'top of trap 20 is a pipe fitted into drain hole 6 and provided with a stop cock 24. Connected into fuel pipe 12 by means of a T-coupling 26 is a down-pipe 28 which leads into an inlet 30 near the top of the front wall 31 of trap 20, a stop 'cock 32 being provided in down pipe 28. In the lower part of the trap front wall 31 is a drain cock 34. A shutoff cock 36 may be provided between the T-coupling 26 and filter 36 for isolating the trap from the fuel delivery line 16.

In normal operation, shutoff cock 24 and 32 are open, and any water, sludge or heavy sediment collecting in the bottom of tank 2 will seek its way down into trap 20. Periodically, for example, during cleaning of the oil burner, cocks 18, 24 and 32 are shut off and drain cock 34 is opened so as to drain out the collected water. If desired, cock'36 may be closed, cock 18 may be left open, and drain cock 34 opened for flushing out any heavy sediment collecting in the bottom of tank 2 which has not previously descended into the trap.

As will be apparent from the foregoing, the trap may be connected to a standard fuel tank without modification of the tank, utilizing only standard pipe fittings, stop cocks or gate valves. If, by chance, the trap should spring a leak, it may be easily removed byv shutting off stop cocks 24 and 32 with no impairment of the fuel delivery capabilities of the tank. Furthermore, filling of the tank will not stir up the sludge,

sediment or water collected in the trap.

l claIm:

having a drain outlet in its bottom intermediate the ends thereof and a delivery outlet fitting in the lower portion of one end thereof, comprising a cylindrical receptacle adapted to be disposed beneath the tank a first conduit for connecting the drain outlet to the receptacle adjacent one end thereof, a second conduit for connecting the fuel delivery outlet fitting to the other end of the receptacle, stop-cocks in said first and second conduits, and a drain cock in a'lower portion of the receptacle, and stop-cocks in said fuel delivery line on opposite sides of said T-coupling. 

1. A condensation collector attached beneath a fuel tank having a drain outlet in its bottom intermediate the ends thereof and a delivery outlet fitting in the lower portion of one end thereof, comprising a cylindrical receptacle adapted to be disposed beneath the tank a first conduit for connecting the drain outlet to the receptacle adjacent one end thereof, a second conduit for connecting the fuel delivery outlet fitting to the other end of the receptacle, stop-cocks in said first and second conduits, and a drain cock in a lower portion of the receptacle, and stop-cocks in said fuel delivery line on opposite sides of said T-coupling. 